The Hawai'i football coaches regard David Veikune as the team's best defensive lineman.

So how did he get away 4 1/2 years ago?

The Warriors "didn't start to recruit me until the week before the signing date," said Veikune, a Campbell High graduate who signed with Colorado in 2004. "If they tried earlier, I would have stayed home. This was the first place I wanted to go."

The previous five years, the Warriors' strategy was to bring in recruits in the three weekends leading to the start of the NCAA signing period, which is always the first Wednesday in February. Because of a limited recruiting budget, many of those prospects were discovered from videos they had submitted.

"They contacted me real late," recalled UH starting slotback Michael Washington, whose highlight video was submitted by his high school coach. "I gave my verbal to Cal when (the UH coaches) asked me to visit Hawai'i."

But the recruiting emphasis has changed under Greg McMackin, who was hired as the Warriors' head coach in January. The recruiting budget was expanded, a trade agreement was reached with an airline, and former UH defensive tackle Tony Tuioti was hired as essentially a recruiting coordinator.

McMackin also decided to push for early commitments. In doing so, McMackin and Tuioti set up a schedule in which the coaches would go on recruiting trips during bye weeks, and prospects would be brought in for visits during the fall.

The Warriors are on a two-game road trip to Utah State and New Mexico State. Because there is a bye week following the New Mexico State game, many of the coaches will remain on the Mainland to recruit. This is considered to be an evaluation period, meaning the coaches can speak with high school coaches and counselors, but not have face-to-face contact with recruits. In recent years, the UH coaches did not stay on the Mainland after road games to recruit.

"I'm glad they're coming around again," Long Beach Poly coach Raul Lara has said.

Poly graduates who went on to play at UH include quarterback Michael Carter, receiver Chris Roscoe, linebacker Mark Odom and offensive guard Hercules Satele.

"I tell (some players), if I had an offer from Hawai'i, I'd go there," Lara said.

The decision to make early offers has been productive. UH already has secured commitments from 15 prospects.

The drawback is that commitments are not binding until put into writing. And that the early interest also draws attention from other schools.

Poly linebacker George Daily-Lyles gave a verbal commitment, but now wants to take other recruiting trips.

Defensive end Liloa Nobriga of Silverado High (Henderson, Nev.) said he gave a verbal commitment Sunday, the last day of his recruiting trip. Nobriga was raised in Hawai'i, where his mother, girlfriend and best friends live. He also is a self-proclaimed "life-long UH fan." But after consulting with his father, who lives in Nevada, Nobriga said he will take recruiting trips to Fresno State and Utah.

Those close to the situation believe Daily-Lyles and Nobriga still will end up as Warriors.

Veikune said the new recruiting approach will have a positive impact.

"It's been a real drastic change," Veikune said.

Veikune recalled how Colorado had a detailed recruiting plan.

"Colorado talked to me for two months," he said. "I had a relationship with them. ... The head coach came down. He flew in all the way from Colorado just to meet me. Plus, the linebacker coach came. It showed they care that much about you."

Veikune left Colorado after a year. He attended Fresno City College before transferring to UH.

UH recruiting, Veikune said, "is definitely a positive now with this new coaching staff."

NEWS AND NOTES

The Warriors decided to take only three quarterbacks on this two-game, 10-day road trip. Tyler Graunke is not on the 64-player travel roster. The quarterbacks are Greg Alexander, Inoke Funaki and Brent Rausch.

Defensive tackle Josh Leonard, who has a sprained foot and has not participated in contact drills this week, is on the travel roster. So, too, is slotback/running back Kealoha Pilares, who won't play against Utah State Saturday.

Victor Clore, the wedge-maker on kickoff returns, remained in Hawai'i. He needs another week to recover from a sprained knee.

There are two surprises on the travel roster: wideout Joe Avery, who has made progress in practices, and cornerback Chris Black, who recently was cleared to play.

Black was allowed to practice but not play while the NCAA reviewed his eligibility status, a UH coach said. Confirmation came last week.

Visit Tsai's blog at http://warriorbeat.honadvblogs.com.